MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bill Rammell with President Lagos.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Bill Rammell underlined the strong trade and political ties between Britain and Chile during a two days visit to Santiago.

"We've agreed to advance in our trade relations because there are many business areas where we can subscribe agreements", said Mr. Rammell after meeting this Tuesday with Chilean president Ricardo Lagos in Palacio de la Moneda, (Government House).

"Chile and Britain share many priorities in foreign policy such as trade liberalization and joint actions to combat global threats against world peace and security, plus the purpose of making globalization more humane", indicated Mr. Rammell who spent last week four days in the Falkland Islands.

Mr. Rammell added that both countries had agreed to strengthen "the already very close links", although he admitted that the Political, Economic and Cooperation Association agreement signed last year between Chile and the European Union "has consolidated relations between the United Kingdom and Chile".

The British official also met Chilean Defence Minister Michelle Bachelet, Deputy Foreign Secretary Cristian Barros, the leader of Chile's main federation of trade unions Arturo Martínez and representatives of British interests in the country.

According to the Central Bank in 2002 Chilean sales to Britain totalled 797 million US dollars while imports from the UK 167 million US dollars.